New Traxxas Stampede keeps turning by itself

[Mikeryder]

Hi, I'm new here. I have bought my first rc truck, a Traxxas Stampede. I am having an issue with the steering. I have adjusted the trim and when I drive it starts going straight after a few feet the wheels turn by themselves. No accidents or damage(brand new). After the trim what is the next adjustment I should try. Being its brand new, this is quite fustrating. Any advice would be great.

Mike

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Hey Mike, Welcome to RC Talk!

Is this 2wd or 4wd?
Does your truck have TSM? It's a stability gyro system. It can affect the steering, for sure.

If you do it is activated by the Multi Function Knob beside the Trim knob.

I would check to make sure it's centered.

 

[Ritz413]

I am assuming once they turn by themselves they stay there and need to be recentered? Does it have a servo saver? Is it in need of tightening?

And welcome!!

 

[PonkyKong]

After checking your servo trim the next part to check is your servo horn. They strip and get loose. Once you bust a servo you will need to upgrade. It's standard practice.

 

[Mikeryder]

Hey Mike, Welcome to RC Talk!

Is this 2wd or 4wd?
Does your truck have TSM? It's a stability gyro system. It can affect the steering, for sure.

If you do it is activated by the Multi Function Knob beside the Trim knob.
View attachment 277330

I would check to make sure it's centered.

Thanks, it is 4wd. I think the TSM is on. wheels are straight when it starts but after a foot or so the wheels turn as if it wants to go in circles.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Thanks, it is 4wd. I think the TSM is on. wheels are straight when it starts but after a foot or so the wheels turn as if it wants to go in circles.

Try turning the multi function knob down

 

[CertifiedMike]

Try all these ideas or get really good at drifting!!!
I know these things can be frustrating but getting familiar with regular maintenance (like checking hardware) isn't really a bad thing.
Repairs are part of RC.

I am pretty sure your issue is going to be a easy fix by the sounds of it.

Good luck and welcome to RCTALK.COM!!!

 

[Mikeryder]

Tried it again and noticed in reverse it tracks fine. forward still the same. 1' the wheels turnGrrr and it wants to do circles. Grrr

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Huh, it's usually the opposite problem.

Some RC's wiggle left to right when reversing, but then track straight well traveling forward.

If you suspend the truck off the ground, does it go full left and then full right if you turn the steering wheel on the transmitter?

It's sounding to me like it might be a loose servo saver.

Can you post a picture of the truck? A video would be great too. Just wondering if we're dealing with the latest version or the older chassis.

 

[Mikeryder]

Right travel is a little futher than the left. I adjusted one turnbuckle and there close now. But still the same thing. The wheels turn almost all the way by themselves. You can see the wheels turn quite far without touching the transmitter steering.

 

[Mikeryder]

Like I said, it is brand new. Maybe 7-8 minutes of drive time.

 

[Mikeryder]

Here are a few pics. wheels straight, full one side, and full the other side

 

[Ritz413]

Like I said, it is brand new. Maybe 7-8 minutes of drive time.

Brand new....have you called traxxas?

 

[Mikeryder]

I have not

 

[Mikeryder]

I'm hoping its just an adjustment

 

[ferrebee88]

I'm hoping its just an adjustment

If none of these suggestions work, give Traxxas a call. Their customer service is actually really good.

 

[PonkyKong]

If you took it out of the box and tried turning the wheels on carpet it is enough to damage their servo. I'm fairly certain your just need to tighten the servo saver or the servo is stripped. A new one is about 15 to 20 bucks on amazon. The stock traxxas servo isn't great. It's plastic.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I would try rebinding the radio to the receiver. Recalibrate after that.
I am not sure how to do this on a new Traxxas radio tho.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

If you just purchased it then the servo should be under warranty. You may want to try giving them a call. As others have mentioned there customer service is exceptional and if you call within business hours you will get a human on the phone.

I agree with @CertifiedMike I would try rebinding the radio to the truck

Here's an article I found outlining how to do it.

TQI Binding Process